Biodiversity of Angola ― Science & Conservation; a Modern Synthesis

This open access multi-authored book presents a ‘state of the science’ synthesis of knowledge relating to the biodiversity of Angola. The book is based in the main on published sources, in peer-reviewed journals, in books and where appropriate, unpublished reports.

The book further highlights that Angola is one of the most biologically diverse countries in Africa, but its flora, fauna, ecosystems and the ecological processes that determine the dynamics of its natural living heritage are still very poorly researched and documented.

The ‘state of the science’ synthesis is for the use of all students of Angola’s biodiversity and should serve those responsible for the planning, development and sustainable use of Angola’s living natural resources. The book brings together biodiversity research undertaken in Angola, with succinct histories of work prior to independence in 1975, and with emphasis on work conducted in the 40 years since independence. The individual chapters have been written by the leaders in their fields and are reviewed by peers familiar with the region.

Brian J Huntley is an internationally respected conservationist with over 50 years of research and management experience in many African countries and the Sub-Antarctic. His involvement with Angola dates from the 1970s and has continued ever since. Following retirement as CEO of the South African National Biodiversity Institute, he is currently an independent consultant on conservation projects in several African countries. He is a Research Associate at the Centre for Invasion Biology, Stellenbosch University and an Emeritus Professor at the University of Cape Town.

Vladimir Russo is an Angolan environmentalist with over 25 years of experience in environmental issues including policy development, environmental education and biodiversity conservation. He was responsible for the development of the Angolan National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), has managed several biodiversity conservation initiatives and supports projects to protect species such as the giant sable antelope and marine turtles, amongst others. He is currently the Technical Director of the environmental consultancy company Holisticos and the Executive Director of Kissama Foundation, an Angolan biodiversity conservation non-governmental organization.

Fernanda Lages is a biologist who has worked for more than 30 years as a teacher at the Faculty of Sciences, Universidade Agostinho Neto, in Luanda, and as a researcher at the National Center for Plant Genetic Resources. She moved to Lubango in 2007, where she became responsible for the biological collections of the former Institute of Scientific Research of Angola. She is currently involved in several projects related to the study of Angolan fauna and flora. Her priority is the documentation, development and dissemination of the collections and promotion of their value as scientific and educational resources. 

Nuno Ferrand is a biologist and professor of genetics and evolution at the Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal, and at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, and has published over 150 papers in prestigious SCI international journals. He is the Director of CIBIO/InBIO, the Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, a national key-lab in the biological sciences, and also the Director of the Natural History and Science Museum at the University of Porto. In addition, he was recently awarded by UNESCO with the Chair Life on Land, which corresponds to a network of TwinLabs aimed at developing partnerships in research, advanced training and capacity building with institutions located in Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and the Cape Verdes. Finally, he also dedicates a considerable part of his life to advise national governmental and non-governmental conservation bodies, as well as involving industry and business in the long-term conservation of biological diversity.